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Sunday, May 12, 2019

This One-Off Watch is Made with Parts from a Nissan Race Car

Known for making timepieces using car parts, REC Watches and Nissan have collaborated on a unique piece for racing driver John Morton.
Incorporating pieces of the original chin spoiler of his racing Datsun BRE 510 (coincidentally, the basis of the recently-launched special edition 370Z), this watch serves as a token of appreciation for one of Nissan’s valued friends.

Morton’s skillful driving in the early 1970s elevated the Datsun brand as a competitive contender on the racetrack and earned the adoration of fans globally. Morton was behind the wheel of the #46 Datsun 510 built by Peter Brock and Brock Racing Enterprises (BRE), winning consecutive SCCA Trans Am 2.5-liter Championships in 1971 and 1972. The 1971 race was considered a major upset and earned the car a reputation as a “giant killer.”

The JM 46 Heritage wristwatch features significant nods to the BRE #46 Datsun 510 including its race number #46 on the face, iconic colors, and Morton’s signature. More subtle accents, such as a yellow second hand, pay homage to history. Wanting the car to stand out on the track and in photos, Peter Brock, the team owner and manager, highlighted various components of the car in a striking Sperex VHT yellow, including its signature yellow exhaust.

Until this project, the unassuming, slightly damaged original chin spoiler hung on an office wall at Nissan headquarters as a reminder of the iconic Datsun BRE 510 that established the brand as a legitimate performance competitor.

Nissan presented the watch to Morton in Atlanta at the 42nd Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) Mitty held at the Michelin Raceway at Road Atlanta, where Morton raced the BRE Datsun 240Z.

The actual car (with a replacement chin spoiler) remains unaltered and in its original racing livery as part of Nissan’s Heritage Collection in Nashville, Tennessee.